Dream Girl

Chapter Nine

Ben's sharp question startled Ashlyn, and she jerked herself upright and opened her eyes.

He stood there with a huge mug of coffee in his hands, wearing a ragged pair of shorts and a T-shirt worn thin from too many washings. His eyes behind the black frames of his glasses rebuked her. She shook her head and smiled.

"You look...” He frowned, unable to find the right word.

"What?"

"Love sick."

"Bah.” She waved a hand and moved into the living room. Doug was sprawled out on the couch watching his favorite anime show, Ninja Vampires or something. Ben threw himself down into an armchair.

"Hey, you're home,” Doug said, sitting up. “Where were you?"

"Out. I ... went out."

Doug looked at her and nodded encouragingly. “Uh-huh ... and?"

"This is the funniest story.” Ashlyn forced a laugh as she sat down beside Doug on the couch. “Sort of. Okay, not funny. Actually, it's pretty bad. I screwed up big time, and I don't know what to do about it."

Doug and Ben stared at her.

"My dad asked me to help with a case, just as a consultant for some possible computer stuff. So I went to the meeting yesterday afternoon, and you won't believe who it was."

"Connor Montgomery,” Doug said.

"Hey! How'd you know that?"

He shrugged and grinned. “You've been talking about him for weeks. It had to be him."

"Well, this is the funny part. Connor was there, but so was his brother, Zach. They look almost like identical twins.” She paused and looked at them. “It was actually Zach I met that night."

"Oh.” Ashlyn could see the wheels turning in their heads as they processed this information.

"So, he wasn't really married,” Ben said slowly, frowning.

"That's right.” Ashlyn gave him a bright smile. “He's not married. Isn't that great?"

"Wait a minute,” Ben said. He pushed his glasses up with his middle finger. “If you thought he was Connor and you told his wife he was cheating on her..."

"That's the not-so-funny part,” Ashlyn admitted. “I gave her wrong information. And I'm not sure, but I think they split up because of that."

"Holy shit,” Ben said. “That is a screw-up."

"Didn't Connor recognize you?” Doug asked in confusion.

She shook her head. “I can't totally figure it out, but I can only guess that his wife hasn't actually looked at the video. Stupid bitch."

"Ashlyn!"

"Well, really, that's just brainless to dump your husband without checking the evidence,” she said defensively.

"Whatever,” Ben said. “What are you going to do?"

"I have no clue.” She sighed.

"Okay, so that was yesterday afternoon. Where have you been ever since then?” Doug asked.

"Um ... well, Zach took me out for pizza after, and we played pool. Then we went back to his place."

Both of Ashlyn's friends just stared at her. Ben mumbled something under his breath that sounded like “shit.” Doug grinned. “So you went for it."

"Yeah, I guess I did. I know it's a bad idea, but God, he's so hot,” she groaned. Ben scowled but said nothing. “I had the best time.” She let her head fall back against the couch.

"Ash, that's a hell of a mess,” Doug said with concern.

"I know. I can't tell him. That would be violating my client's confidentiality. But I feel guilty for not telling him. And I feel even guiltier for helping to split up what was probably a perfectly good marriage."

"You have to tell Connor's wife,” Doug said, leaning forward.

She nodded wearily. “I know. But when I do, I can kiss Zach goodbye. When he hears about it, he won't want anything more to do with me."

Doug's smile held a hint of sympathy; Ben's did not.

"When are you going to tell her?” he asked.

She shrugged. “I don't know.” She glanced at her watch. “Omigod! I've got studying to do, and Zach's picking me up at four."

"You're seeing him again?” Ben asked incredulously.

Doug just grinned.

"We're going rollerblading, and then he's going to make dinner for me at his place.” She sighed, smiling at the thought of seeing him again, and drifted down the hall to her bedroom, pushing caution aside.

"What the hell?” Connor asked. “That was fast work. Didn't you just meet her yesterday?"

Zach had poured himself another cup of coffee and wandered out onto the deck where Connor and Rocky were relaxing. Rocky rose to greet him with a swishing tail, even though he'd only been gone half-an-hour.

Zach grinned. “Nuh uh,” he said. “That was my dream girl."

Connor gaped at him. “That was her? The girl you met at Doc's that night?"

Zach nodded, still grinning. “Yup. I don't know how I got so lucky, but I found her again. And this time she didn't run away."

"Clearly,” Connor said dryly. “Wow. Well, she is pretty cute."

"She's awesome. I'm going to marry her."

"No.” Connor scowled. “Do not do that again. Luckily the last time you proposed to someone you hardly knew, she turned you down. Get a grip, man."

Zach relaxed back in a lounge chair with his hands behind his head. “Don't worry,” he said mildly. “I haven't asked her yet. I'll wait a little while."

"You'll wait a long while before you do something so stupid,” Connor admonished him.

"Yeah, yeah.” Unconcerned by his brother's anxiety, Zach smiled as he gazed out at the ocean.

"Did she tell you why she ditched you those other times you met?"

Zach frowned. “Uh ... no. But she said she had a reason."

Connor gave him a disgusted look. “And that was good enough for you?"

Zach shrugged. “Sure. I trust her."

"You trust everyone."

"Whatever. She's a sweetheart. She must have had a good reason. She'll tell me some time."